Honest-to-Goodness: Who could have thought the news to bump DeflateGate at least off-center in the national conversation would AGAIN have come out of Indiana?
My roundup of 10 or so links about that and other notable topics:
- Gov. Mike Pence is starting a state-run taxpayer-funded news outlet called “Just IN” that will make pre-written news stories available to Indiana media, as well as sometimes break news about his administration, according to documents obtained by IndyStar’s Tom LoBianco. (IndyStar)
- Reaction in the media was swift and largely negative. “What in the name of Vladimir Putin is the Pence administration thinking?” asked Matthew Tully. (IndyStar) | Lots of journos, including me, tweeted criticisms. (Mediagazer) | Among dozens of reader reactions: “Too close to socialism for me.” (Facebook) “This should be bigger news.” (Reddit) | Of course, there’s a Twitter parody account. (@Just_IN_News)
- Some have noted that copy from official news releases already gets reused by journalists, sometimes with no or little additional reporting. “Really the concern should be about pointless government waste and the creation of unnecessary taxpayer-funded jobs.” (Reason.com)
This is State of IN’s calendar for press releases: http://t.co/OuLPEOkXqQ. The #JustIN website will offer the same service with a new look.
— Governor Mike Pence (@GovPenceIN) January 27, 2015
- In other news, an Indy City-County Council panel tabled a controversial $18.5 million tax incentive for Angie’s List. The move gives the consumer review service more time to better make its case for why the money is critical to its Near-Eastside expansion. (IndyStar)
- Survivors marked the 70th anniversary today of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. (BBC)
- I love the spirit behind this: #KeepWarmIndy is a new campaign to encourage people to leave winter clothing outside for others to use in the cold. (Facebook)
- Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey banned road travel as the massive “Winter Storm Juno” hit the Northeast. (USA Today)
- The NFL is focusing on a Patriots locker-room attendant in its investigation into DeflateGate, according to a report. (Fox Sports)
- Drat. Colts QB Andrew Luck’s visit to David Letterman’s “Late Show” tonight was postponed. (IndyStar) | Carmel’s Samantha Steffen netted a rose to survive Week 4 of ABC’s “The Bachelor.” (Entertain This)
- Do mainstream journalists have a legitimacy problem with younger audiences that amateurs don’t? Who decides who’s a journalist, anyway? Timely commentary by Hank Green, the less-famous half of the Vlog Brothers YouTube channel. (Medium)
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